Furman partners with USL W’s Greenville Liberty SC

Furman Director of Athletics Jason Donnelly announced today a new partnership between Furman Athletics and the USL W’s Greenville Liberty SC expansion pre-professional women’s soccer club.

The partnership will allow the Liberty to use Furman’s athletics facilities, including Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium and auxiliary fields, to train in the preseason and regular season.  The Liberty open their season this Sunday on the road against the Charlotte Independence.

“Furman Athletics is honored to partner with the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty Soccer Club during their inaugural season,” Donnelly remarked. “Joe Erwin’s vision for Greenville is inspiring and consistent with our university’s mission, vision, and values. We are excited to support the success of Julie Carson’s team and the continued growth and impact of professional soccer in the Upstate.”

Greenville Liberty SC’s squad features former Paladins Caitlin Reilly and Grace Baghdady, and current Paladins Camryn Bolick and Cameron Whitacre.

The Liberty is a sister team to the Greenville Triumph Soccer Club, a men’s professional team that began play in 2019. Triumph SC competes in USL League One and has appeared in three straight league finals, including winning the title in 2020.

The Upstate’s professional women’s soccer team will be led by head coach Julie Carlson.  Carlson, who has over 20 years of coaching experience, takes the helm after most recently serving as the director of operations for Clemson’s women’s soccer program.

The Liberty edged the SC United Bantams, 1-0, in a preseason exhibition action earlier this month.  The club’s first regular season match takes place this Sunday on the road at the Charlotte Independence and will host their home opener Friday, May 20, against NC Courage U23 at Legacy Early College at 7 p.m.